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Reader's Review

“Finished your book, Carl, and I very much enjoyed it. I didn’t expect the ‘spicy’ parts, but they were critical to your very personal story – and not the least bit offensive. Your attention to detail is impressive! I was unaware of NC’s reluctance to get involved, or the vicious marauding that took place as people attempted to travel … and the lengths people were forced to go to both protect themselves and their property during our War Between the States. Both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, your story was a pleasure to read. Thank you.”

Retired Military, Educator, Historian, and Author

Carl is an expert in Civil War history with a special focus on the people and the history of North Carolina before, during, and after the war. He had a conversation with the esteemed documentarian Ken Burns for the award-winning series The Civil War and has remained a resource for educational leaders and decision-makers in government for over 23 years. He believes in the power of knowledge and the importance of historical storytelling and is guided by Winston Churchill’s famous paraphrase of Santayana, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

After an accomplished and decorated 30-year career in the US Army, Carl has worked as a consultant to the Department of
Defense and Homeland Security. In that time, he has also lectured regularly and contributed his writings to several collections and published four books. As contemporary society’s understanding of our not-so-distant past grows cloudy and we are poised to repeat mistakes once considered unthinkable, Carl’s expertise and perspective is more essential than ever.

Please visit the Contact page to book a speaking engagement or book signing with Carl, or to discuss ways in which Carl can tailor his knowledge and abilities to suit your programmatic needs.